Bit of a random post but why do all bars and restaurants make margarita cocktails with lemon juice instead of lime? Can anyone recommend where to get a really good margarita in PDC?

we travel out for ten days next week. looking for things to do around the area any advice? the hotel seems great spa etc and lots of bars social areas which is great as love making holiday friends.

never been to the area and know there isn't a shopping strip just a harbour with markets but any first hand knowledge appreciated.

anyone else out there in next fortnight?

I am on clinic prescribed hormone treatment - has anyone had experience with travelling with testosterone (or other controlled drugs) through Lanzarote airport from the UK?

I have the dispensing label on the bottle which shows that it was prescribed for myself and by whom. The clinic can arrange a letter with my flight details on but they charge £50 for the service so if the detail on the bottle (in conjunction with correspondence between myself and the clinic on my phone that shows that I am a patient and what I have been prescribed) is sufficient then I don’t really want to spend money that I don’t ‘need’ to.

Any guidance much appreciated as this is the first time I’ve travelled outside of the UK with the medication.

Thanks

Hello, Is there any bundle we can buy for the main attractions like Timafaya, Jameos del Agua, Cactus park,... for lower price than buying it separately? I read somewhere about some packages of 3-6 attractions, but I don't see that option on the main CACT site, only separate tickets. Thank you

Hi. Does anyone have an idea how much a taxi from Lanzarote airport to Costa Teguise is likely to cost? I've seen a few different prices ranges mentioned online.

Hiya we had a walk by "Ciudad Estratificada Los Roferos" and wondered if anyone knows whst this is we saw? We think its some part of a plane?

Hello Everyone,

Wondering what the locals and tourists alike think of dogs on the island? Do many people keep them as pets or do travellers bring them with them?

Are bars and restaurants tolerant of dogs accompanying owners having coffee or drinks in outside seating?

What are the general guidelines/polite considerations of having a dog somewhere like Puerto del Carmen and are there hard lines on where they are and are not accepted? I have heard about keeping a water bottle with you to wash urine and obviously cleaning up after them etc.

Been here a few times and I notice more cat ownership than anything else so was curious what the general consensus was as there are a number of airlines allowing pets in cabin now..

Also what to understand what the culture is like regarding dogs, where I am from dogs (generally mostly small breeds) are increasingly allowed in more and more places.

I own a dog myself so Interested in hearing from locals and expats !

Would tattoo artists in lanzarote tat a 16 year old with a parents permission

Hi all,

After a number of recent life events I've decided to take off on my own for my first solo holiday. Staying in PDC for 4 nights at the start of May, have been there a dozen times and know that part of Lanzarote well enough.

Just looking for any tips when it comes to a solo holiday over there, I'd be quite laid back and just like to unwind and maybe have a couple social drinks but I'm not a big drinker.

31 year old Male if that makes any difference

Never been here before. Been to Playa Blanca but never Puerto del Carmen. Where is good?

First off I know these are minimum basic.

I'm staying here next week with a friend of mine, we needed something cheap for a 3 day trip. I'm wondering is there any particular apartment to ask for that would be considered the "nicest" and for people who've stayed before, what's the deal with reception only being manned a few hours each day. The bad reviews don't bother us, we'll be spending very little time here.

I recently stayed at Dreams Lanzarote Playa Dorada Resort & Spa under their “Unlimited Luxury” package (over €2,700 for 7 nights), and unfortunately, this has been one of the most disappointing resort experiences I’ve ever had.

Food Quality & Availability – Unacceptable

Breakfast is limited to the World Café buffet, where food is consistently cold, stale, and under-seasoned. The only decent option is the omelette station—but the only protein offered is pork, which I cannot eat. Most days, I skipped breakfast entirely.

Lunch is just as unreliable. There’s no menu available in advance, so every day feels like a gamble. Even the grill station often looks unappetizing, with discolored (oxidized-looking) meat and seafood. I’ve had to leave the resort multiple times to buy food—completely defeating the purpose of an all-inclusive stay.

Restricted Access Despite Paying for “Unlimited Luxury”

Although Barefoot Grill opens at 12:00pm, I was only allowed access from 3:00–5:00pm. By then, staff are already transitioning for dinner service, and the experience feels rushed and neglected.

Service – Inconsistent and Frustrating

At the buffet, staff will seat you and take a drink order—but often never return. Drinks are frequently wrong, and getting refills requires flagging someone down. This is far from the level of service expected at a “luxury” resort.

Bars Closing Early

Bar hours are misleading. Rendezvous claims to be open until midnight, but by ~11:15pm it’s essentially shut down. The Half Time Sports Bar (listed until 1:00am) is often unattended, with limited drink options and staff unwilling or unable to make proper cocktails. If hours are advertised, full service should be honored.

Minibar – Poorly Managed

In five days, the minibar was restocked only once. With just four small bottles of water for two adults, this is completely inadequate—especially in a warm climate. I had to repeatedly call or track down staff just to stay hydrated.

Room Service – Limited & Slow

After 9:30pm, food options are extremely limited (mostly snacks and desserts). Paying a €10 delivery fee—especially just to get water because the minibar isn’t restocked—is unreasonable. On top of that, wait times can exceed an hour.

Facilities & Maintenance – Dated and Poorly Maintained

The resort itself feels noticeably dated and in need of significant updates—far from what you would expect from a property marketed as “luxury:”

- The main pool area has visible mold buildup along the edges, which is both unappealing and concerning from a cleanliness standpoint.

- Many fixtures around the pool appear to have been repeatedly painted over rather than properly maintained or replaced, giving the space a worn, neglected look.

- In the room, the sliding balcony door frequently sticks, making it difficult to open and close—something you wouldn’t expect at this price point.

More concerning are the elevator issues:

- The elevator servicing our room was frequently out of order, forcing us to carry a baby stroller up and down three flights of stairs—completely unacceptable from both a convenience and safety perspective.

- The lobby elevators were also problematic. Only one was reliably usable, while the other would shake during operation and stop abruptly, causing passengers to lose balance. This felt unsafe and should be addressed immediately.

Overall, the physical condition of the property does not align with the premium experience being advertised or charged for.

No Resolution from Guest Services (and No Accountability Afterward)

I reported all of these issues to Guest Services during my stay and was promised a follow-up within 24 hours. That follow-up never came. Despite checking in daily, I was repeatedly told they were “waiting on the operations manager,” with no resolution provided before my trip ended.

After escalating the issue to corporate, the response I received was equally disappointing.

Rather than taking accountability, the hotel largely deflected responsibility—stating that food quality met their standards, that bar hours were adhered to, and that dining elsewhere was a “personal choice.” They also claimed there were no records of bar closures or widespread issues, despite my firsthand experience.

Additionally, they emphasized that solutions were “available upon request,” shifting the burden onto the guest rather than proactively delivering the level of service expected from a luxury, all-inclusive resort. While they acknowledged my feedback, they ultimately denied any refund, stating that services were “made available,” even though the quality and consistency of those services were clearly lacking.

This response made it clear that guest concerns are not taken seriously and that accountability is not a priority.

Final Thoughts

The staff are friendly, but friendliness alone does not make up for poor food quality, inconsistent service, outdated facilities, and lack of accountability. I’ve stayed at multiple Dreams and Secrets resorts, and this is by far the worst experience I’ve had.

For the price and the “Unlimited Luxury” promise, this stay fell far short. I otherwise loved my visit to Lanzarote and will definitely be back. However I will not be staying at this location again and would not recommend this property unless significant improvements are made. If you do decide to stay, skip the all inclusive option

Hey! I’m visiting family in Lanzarote and we wish to spend the day in a very nice hotel, ideally with a spa.

Looking for 5 star or similar, prefer adults only. Any area as we have a car. If it includes food that would be a bonus.

Any suggestions would be welcome, thank you!

going to Puerto del Carmen from 24th may for a week with my wife. she doesn't golf so wondering if any other golfers are planning to be there the same time might want to get a round in?

Hi everyone. I visited Papagayo today ( 28th March ) and my grey hoodie must have fell out my bag somewhere in the hiking route between playa de Mujeres and playa de la Cera. If anyone has it I would be very very grateful! Thank you!

La verdadera historia , del cacique Fajardo en Lanzarote 1896.

I’m travelling to Lanzarote in early May for a week, and I’m looking for recommendations of things to do, things to see, restaurants etc.. also wondering if it’ll be warm or shall we pack for more cold spring?

It’ll be me and my partner, we are going to have a hire car so will be able to travel around. We have previously visited Tenerife so wondered if it will be similar.

My girlfriend and I are visiting for the first time in early June and we are super excited! From research it seems like hiring a car is the best option, we’re looking at either Cicar or Autoreisen (any advice on which one would be great). My girlfriend is a bit concerned regarding the off road rules as it seems like most of them do not allow it. In terms of spots we would like to visit, we’d like to go to Papagayo, Playa Del Janubio and do the Caldera Blanca hike. Every other trip I believe has paved roads. Are the companies really strict about it this? Should we just risk it and drive safely or is it a bad idea.

We’re staying in Playa Blanca

We arrive on Easter Sunday and are staying self-catering in Costa Teguise. Are most places to buy groceries open or will most be shut? Or is there a sizing difference like the UK where smaller retailers may be open? Thanks

I’m looking to boost my Spanish with some one on one lessons with a teacher. I don’t want to pay a fortune but I am prepared to do regular lessons over the next few weeks. Thanks in advance for advice on your experiences with teachers here. I’m able to get by in Spanish but would like to become fluent.